Automatic sequential operation type clothes washing machine



Aug. 29, 1950 K. o. SISSON AUTOMATIC SEQUENTIAL opmmxon TYPE CLOTHES vmsnmc museum:

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1944 L III III .1111

2-. shuts-sheet 2 K. O. SISSON AUTOIATIC SEQUENTIAL OPERATION TYPE CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 4, 1944 A: I m grog.-

Patented Aug. 29, 1950 AUTOMATIC SEQUENTIAL OPERATION TYP CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Kenneth 0. Sisson, Oakwood, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, at

corporation of Delaware Application November 4, 1944, Serial No. 561,881

Claims. (01. 68-12) This invention relates to domestic appliances, and more particularly to washing machines.

An object of this invention is to provide a washing machine of the centrifugal type, and having a door or lid for access thereto, with a safety feature, having an electrical interlock such that filling and agitation can take place whether the door is open or closed; but in which the spinning action can only take place while the door is closed. This allows the user to inspect the interior of the washing compartment during the relatively safe fill and agitation periods, but prevents or stops the relatively dangerous centrifugal action when the door is open.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washing machine of the centrifugal type with a safety feature, such that, when the access door is opened during the centrifugal spin period, such spin period, and the timer control, are arrested until the door is closed, when the spinning action and the timer operation-are automatically resumed. This allows the machine to resume its spinning operation after the door is closed to complete the remaining cycle or cycles asif the door had not been opened.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the complete washing machine and its electrical connections with a combined timer and door control;

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram for the washing machine shown in Fig. 1; and

produce agitation when the solenoid i4- is not energized and to produce centrifugal rotation when the solenoid is energized. Any transmission of this type may be used.

For example, the tub, agitator, motor, transmission and solenoid may be of the type dislevel for washing.

2 511,515, filed Nov. 24, 1943 Patent No. 2,422,395 granted June 17,1947.

The foregoing mechanisms maybe enclosed in a cabinet 55, which is provided with an access door 56, which may be opened and closed and which is connected to a door switch 51 which opens and closes at 51a in response to the opening and closing of the door 58, through the medium of rod 58. r

The tub 60 of the washing machine may be filled by a liquid supply means including a cold water supply line59 and a hot water supply line 60 and which lead to a thermostatic mixing valve 6! andtoliquid operated valve means which may include a mixed or tepid water solenoid valve 62 and a hot water solenoid valve 63. These discharge selectively into a mixing chamber 64 and from thence through a constant pressure reducing means 65 and fixed orifice 66 through the nozzle 61 into the tub 50. This liquid supply means, or liquid feeder, may besubstantially as disclosed in the application of Kendall Clark, S. N. 358,871, filed September 28, 1940 Patent vNo. 2,366,236 granted January 2, 1945. The arrangement is such that a predetermined rate of flow of liquid is provided at nozzle 61, and the timer controls the solenoid 62 or 63 to provide a fixed length of time of discharge at the nozzle, thus discharging a predetermined amount of liquid into tub 50, which fills the tub 50. to the desired The washing machine may be controlled by a combined timer and door switch arrangement, as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 2. This arrangement may include a timer motor 10, which drives a pinion 1| meshed with gear 12. The gear 12 is fixed to an axially movable shaft 18. The shaft 13 may be moved axially by snap action under the control of the lug 14, pushed axially by the spring 140., selectively in the grooves 15 and 16 in a wheel 11 fixed to the shaft 13, the shaft snapping axially as the lug 14 ,snapsfrom one groove to the other. The-shaft 13 may be moved axially by the operator through the medium of the knob 18, which may be fixed to the end 19 of the shaft 13, the flat portion on the knob shank fitting with the fiat portion 8| of the shaft 13 to prevent relative rotation between the knob 18 and shaft 13. The knob 18 and shaft 13 may be axially-secured together by any well known construction such as a radial screw, not shown The timer 10 preferably operates the pinion 11 by quick equal impulses, as described in the patent to Poole No. 2,191,538, granted Feb.

closed in the application of Kendall Clark, 3. N. 55 27,1940, the gears 1| and 12 of my application asses 3 correspondingtogearsflandslinthesaid Poolepatent. Othersimilardrivesarealsodisclosed in the patents to Poole 2,191,539; 2,191,540 and 2,191,541, whichalsoshowhowtoimpartstep by step motion to asmall pinion. corresponding to mypinion'll. Anyofthesetimermotoroonstructionsmaybeusedinmytimermotorcasing ll.

'lheshaft'llmaycarryapluralityofcamsfl.

It and D4 which are provided with proper ridges 10 and valleys to operate movable contacts I, 4 and I. The shaft II, when moved axially, also oper-.

ates an on and on switch II, which opens when theshaftispulledtowardstheoperatorandis closed when it is pushed away from the operator. The switch II is operated from the shaft I. through the medium of leaf "a. The knob ll and shaft 13 are illustrated in the 1" position, with the shaft I! pulled out to disconnect all circuits at I.

Power may be supplied for the washing machine through electric power connectors Li and Le, which may be plugged into any electric power outlet usually found in a residence. Connector La may be connected to one side of the solenoids I4, 62 and 63 and motors It and It. Connector Ll may be connected to a door switch by-pass contact l2 and to the door switch II. The door switch opens and closes at "a as the door It is actionisproduced whichmaybeahotiilloramixedfill !-J and second spin, during J-L,areproduced. Thereafterathird" "periodfpuisestablishedwhichisamixedwater fill (regardless of the position of switch .1). followed by a third agitation or "rinse" period Ill-N andthirdspinor"dryperiodN-A,afterwhich the operation of the machine is automatically 9PM. including the timer motor N, by the moving of the contact 1 intermediate the contacts I and it through the medium of cam I4.

The pomtions of the various contacts during these operations are indicated in Fig. 3 wherein theplussignisusedtoindicatetheclosingof contacts, and the minm sign is the opening or contacts. The pa rent during the various periods is as Whentheuserstartstohlrntheknobfromthe finish position A. all of the the intermediate position oi and it. As the knob is turned clockwise to B, contactlisdisconnectediromland4froml. l'urtherturning of the knob-to C connects I and 4. At the start of the first fill position D, contact I is moved to i2. This establishes one circuit from L1, II, It, 2. ll, Ila, It, 4, I, II, II, either opened and closed. The door switch I'I in turn Q I or II and either I or I! told. This startsthe fiow of either hot water or mixed water (as selected by the position of ll) into the tub. Another circuit is established from L1 to it, as heretofore described, to timer motor II and In. This I starts the timer motor running, and advances the tact i or II or the "01! and "on switch II and from thence to the line ll. The line it is connected to the movable contacts 4 and 1 and to theother terminal of the timer motor ll. The stationary contact 3 is connected to a hot or mixed water selector switch I! which may be manually selectively connected to the stationary contacts It or II. The contact 88 is connected to the hot water solenoid 63 while the contact II is connected to the mixed water solenoid 62. The contact as i is connected to the transmission solenoid l4. The movable contact 4 is moved by the cam ll into contact with either I or I or intermediate thereof. The contact 8 is connected to the mixed solenoid I! while the contact I is connected to the motor 83. The movable contact 1 may be moved into contact with t or 8 or intermediate thereof by the cam 82.

When the knob I8 is pulled toward the operator, all circuits are broken at it and the machine cannot operate regardless of the turned position or the knob. The operator may therefore stop the machine during any cycle b pulling the knob ll. When the knob ll is turned to the oil! position A, all circuits are broken atv 2, which is then intermediate l and II. This is the automatic or! which stops the machine when all of the cycles have been finished.

In the operation of the machine, clothes and detergent are introduced into the basket and the knob II is pushed in (if out) and turned to the initial position at "fill." This starts the machine and thereafter the timer motor will so actuate the movable contacts 2, 4 and I so that the proper amount of hot or tepid water is introduced as selected at switch l1 during fill period D-E; then an agitation action is produced during a "wash" period E--I"; and, if the door I! is in closed position, a spinning action during a shaft ll, step by step, through the fill period thus filling the tub to the desired level. At the start E of the wash period. contact 4, disconnects from I and I contacts I. This breaks the circuit 0 through the water solenoids it or I! and establi'shes a circuit through the motor II, the circuit coming from line II, as previously described,

through I. I, It, It and In. Since the transmission solenoid I4 is not energised, operation of the motor It causes the agitator to reciprocate vertically during the wash period. At this time the motor ll continues to run and advance the shaft it throughout the wash period. Should the door I! be opened during the foregoing all or wash period, the circuits will not be changed because the opening of door switch I! does not aiiect the flow of current from II to II and l, through which the current is then passing. As the shaft continues to turn to the first spin period at I", contact 4 is moved to I and contact I is moved to i. This causes the current to fiow from Li through ll, I1, I, 2, II, "a, 86, 4, I, II, II and In. This energizes the transmission solenoid I4. The current also continues to flow from it through I, I, 02, It and Is. This causes the motor It to spin the tub, since the transmission solenoid I4 is energized. The timer motor ll continues to run, since the current also continues to flow from I. through 04 to 1. and In. Should the door It be opened during this spin period all of the circuits are opened by the opening of switch II at Ila, since all of the current is now passing through this switch. This will stop the spinnin operation, as a brake is automatically applied when the motor I! is deenergized, as disclosed in the said Clark application 8. N. 511,515, or, if the spin has not actually started, then it is prevented from starting by the stopping of the motor ll. Motor II also is stopped, and therefore the timer spin period F-H. Thereafter, a second filling 75 remains in its position as long as the door is I a open; butis ready to continue exactly where it left oil as soon as the door-is closed. At G, just before the timer advances to the second fill period, contact I is moved from I and I from I. This deenergizes the solenoid II and the motor I} and automaticall applies a brake to the spinning basket, stopping it before the second fill is,

reached at H, as described in the said Clark application S. N. 511,515.

When the timer advances to the second fill osition at H, the same circuits are re-established, which were established at the beginning of the first fill at D, and the tubis filled with water (either hot or mixed, as selected at II) to the desired level while the timer advances through the second fill position. when the timer reaches the first rinse position at I, the same circuits are established which were established during the first wash period at E. and the agitator is vertically reciprocated throughout the rinse eriod. Should the door be opened during the second fill (H-I) and the first rinse (I-J) period, none of the circuits are interrupted, since the current is passing through contact I: and the door switch 51 is by-passed, so that it cannot afiect any of the circuits. When the timer reaches the second spin position at J, the same circuits are re-established, which were established during the first spin position at F, and the door assumes control of the circuits exactly as it did during the first spin period. At K, just before reaching the third fill period, contact 4 is disconnected from 5 (to its intermediate position) and contact I is disconnected from 8 (to its intermediate position), thus automatically applying a brake to the basket and stopping it just before the timer reaches the third fill period at L. When the timer reaches the last fill period at L, contact 1 is moved to contact i2 as in the other fill periods; but the contact I is moved to contact 6 while contact I remains intermediate contacts 3 and I. This continues to energize the timer motor I0 and sends current from line 88 through I, i, 85 to the mixed solenoid 62, so that the last fill is with mixed water regardless of the position of switch 81. The door does not have control of the circuits during this last fill period. As the timer reaches the last rinse period at M, the circuit to solenoid 62 is broken by moving contact I from i to 8. This establishes a circuit from 86 through 1, 8, 92 and motor 53 to line La. Operation of the motor 53 causes vertical reciprocation oi the agitator throughout the rinse period. When the last dry period is reached at N, the same circuits are reestablished which were established at the previous spin periods at F and J, and the tub rotates for the final drying of the clothes. At A, the end of the dry period, contact! is moved intermediate I and 12, thus opening all of the circuits in the machine, and stoppi all operations. The clothes, now completely washed and damp dried, may then be removed from the machine. Should the door be opened during the last dry period N-A, the basket is automatically stopped, or prevented from starting, exactly as it was during the previous spin periods. Should the user wish to stop operation of the machine at any time, he merely pulls the knob 18 towards him, as previously described, and thus opens all of the circuits at 85, regardless of any other positions in the circuits. This stops the machine. I

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might 7 claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A washing machine comprising: a centri- Iugally rotatable backet; agitating means for clothes in said basket; a power motor; transmission means to connect said motor to rotate said basket centrifugally and to agitate said, clothes;

a liquid feeder for .said basket; a door for access to said basket; a timer having a fill period, an agitation period, and a spin period; a timer motor; liquid feed solenoid means; an agitation and spin solenoid; a power motor contact; a liquid feed solenoid means contact; an agitation and spin solenoid contact; a door switch placeable in series with said contacts and timer motor and opening and closing with the Opening and closing of said door; a door switch contact placeable in series with said door switch, contacts and timer motor; a door switch by-pass contact electrically by-passing said door switch; said timer, during said fill period placing said liquid feed solenoid means contact and timer motor selectively in series with said door switch contact or said door switch by-pass contact; said timer, during said agitation period placing said timer motor and power motor contact selectively in series with said door switch contact or door switch by-pass contact; said timer, during said spin period placing said timer motor, power motor contact and agitation and spin solenoid contact in series with ,said door switch contact only.

2. A washing machine comprising: a centrifugally rotatable basket; agitatin means for clothes in said basket; 8. power motor; transmission means to connect said motor to rotate said basket centrifugally and to agitate said clothes; a liquid feeder for said basket; 9. door for access to said basket; a timer having a fill period, an

agitation period, and a spin period; a timer motor; liquid feed solenoid means; an agitation and spin solenoid; a power motor contact; a liquid feed solenoid means contact; an agitation and spin solenoid contact; adoor switch placeable in series with said contacts and timer motor and opening and closing with the opening and closing of said door; a door switch contact placeable in series with said door switch, contacts and timer motor; a door switch by-pass contact electrically .by-passing said door switch; saidtimer during said fill period placing said liquid feed solenoid means contact and timer motor selectively in series with said door switch contact or said door switch by-pass contact; said timer, durin said agitation period placing said timer motor and power motor contact selectively in series with said door switch contact or door switch by-pass contact; said timer, durin said spin period placing said timer motor, power motor contact and agitation and spin solenoid contact in series with said door switch contact only; and an off switch manually operable to open all electrical circuits of said washing machine, and automatically operable to open said circuits upon the termina tion of said fill period.

3. A washing machine comprising: a centrifugally rotatable basket; agitating means for clothes in said basket; a power motor; transmission means to connect said motor to rotate said basket centrifugally and to agitate said clothes; 9. liquid feeder for said basket; a door for access to said basket; a timer havin a fill period, an agitation period, and a spin period; a timer motor; liquid feed solenoid means; an agitation and spin solenoid; a power motor contact; a liqtimer'inotor; a door switch by-pacon trically by-passing said door switch: during said fill period placing said solenoid means contact and timer motor selectively in series with said door switch said door switch by-pass contact; said timer, during said agitation period placing said tor and power motor contact selectivel with said door switch contact or door pass contact: said timer, during said placing said timer motor, power motor con and agitation and spin solenoid contact in with said door switch contact only; said feed means having hot water and mixed connections selectively operable by a hot and mixed water switch in series with said liquid feed solenoid means.

4. A washing machine comprising: a centrifusally rotatable basket; clothes in said basket; a power motor; transmission means to connect said motor to rotate said basket centrifugally and to agitate said clothes; a liquid feeder for said basket; a door for access to said basket; a timer having a fill period, an agitation period. and a spin period; a timer motor; liquid feed solenoid means an agitation and spin solenoid; contacts closed by said timer during various of said periods including a power motor contact, a liquid feed solenoid means contact, a spin contact, a timer motor contact; a safety selector movable by said times: a door switch and a door switch by-pass line selectively placeable in series with said contacts by said selector: said door switch being placed in series with said contacts during said spin period, and said by-pass line bein placed in series with said contacts during said fill and agitation periods.

5. A washing machine comprising: a basket: an agitator; a hot water solenoid valve; a tepid water solenoid valve; said valves having l quid feed means into said basket; a power motor, a transmission connecting said motor to said agitator and basket, a spin solenoid energizing said transmission to spin said basket; a door for access to said basket and having a door switch; a by-pass line by-passing said door switch; a timer having a fill period, an agitation period and a spin period; said time;- having contacts movable sequentially to open selectively one of said solenoid valves durin said on period, to energize said power motor during said agitation and spin periods and to energize said pin solenoid during said spin period; said timer placing said door switch in series with said contacts during said spin period and placing said by-pass line in series with said contacts during said an and agitation periods.

6. A washing machine comprising: a basket; an agitator; a liquid feeder for said basket; a liquid feeder electrically controlled valve controlling said liquid feeder; a power motor; a transmission connecting said power motor to said agitator and basket; an electrically controlled transmission controller controlling said transmission to select rotation of said basket and agitation of said agitator; a door for access to said basket; a door switch; a by-pass line and by-pass spinperiod; saidtimerclcsingsaidby-pass switch duringsaidiillandagitationperiodsandopening switch; an agitation switch; a rotatable and axially movable timer shaft rotated by said timer inotor and actuating said switches by rotation of said shaft; an on and of! switch opened and closed by axial movement of said shaft; a door switch; a safety switch actuated by rotation of said shaft and having a door switch by-pass position and a door switch series position; said safety switch being actuated to said by-pass position when said power switch and agitation switches are actuated, and said safety switch being actuated to said series position when said power motor switch and said spin switch are actuated. a

9. A control comprising: a timer motor; s rotatable timer shaft rotated by said timer motor; switch blade actuating cams on said shaft; switch blades actuated by said cams; a power motor; a power motor switch contact energizable by one of said blades; a spin switch contact energisable by one of said blada; an agitation switch contact energizable by one of said blades; a door switch; a safety switch bladev actuated by rotation of said shaft; a door switch series contact in series with said door switch and energizable by'said safety switch blade in one position; a door switch V-m contact by-passing said door switch and energiaable by said safety switch blade in another position; said series contact being energized when said power motor switch contact and spin switch contact are energized, and said by-pass contact being energised when said power motor switch contact and agitation switch contact are energised.

10. A control comprising: a timer motor: a rotatable and axially movable timer shaft rotated by said timer motor; an on and off switch actuated by axial movement of said timer shalt; switch blade actuating cams on said shaft; switch blades actuated by said cams; a power motor; a power motor switch contact energisable by one of said blades; a spin switch contact energisable by one of said blades: an agitation switch contact en- 'ergizable by one of said blades; a door switch; a safety switch blade actuated by rotation of said shaft; a door switch series contact in series with switch electrically lay-passing said door switch; 75 said door switch and cnergisable by said safety switch blade in one position; a door switch bypass contact by-passing said door switch and energizable by said safety switch blade in another position; said series cont-act being energized when said power motor switch contact and spin switch contact are energized, and said by-pass contact being energized when said power motor switch contact and agitation switch contact are energized, said on and ofi. switch being in series with said blades and timer motor.

' 10 REFERENCES m The following references are of record in file of this patent:

UNITEDSTA'IES 11M Ni mber Name Date 2,161,604 Watts June 6, 1939 2,176,954 Clark Oct. 24, 1939 2,233,362 Beeman Feb. 25, 1941 2,302,012 Dyer Nov. 17, 1942 2,302,836 Breckenridge Nov. 24, 1942 2,321,641 Anderson June 15, 1943 2,325,663 Claybo Aug. 3, 19% 2,355,162 Hovey Aug. 8, 104% Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,520,695 August 29, 1950 KENNETH O. SISSON It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column "3, line 86, for the Word or read to; column 7, line 59, for pin read spzn; and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 14th day of November, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gammz'ssz'oner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,520,695 August 29, 1950 KENNETH O. SISSON It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

GolumnB, line 36, for the Word or read to; column 7, line 59, for pin read 8pm;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 14th day of November, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gammz'ssz'oner of Patents. 

